Mark Zuckerberg and Alexandr Wang just dropped another tech “innovation” that’s got the internet collectively rolling its eyes. Meta’s new standalone AI app feature, called Vibes, is essentially an endless stream of AI-generated video clips that feels more like digital junk food than meaningful content.

The new feed replaces Meta’s previous Discover section, now offering users a continuous scroll of surreal, photorealistic videos created entirely by artificial intelligence. Imagine watching a humanoid bunny breakdancing in a suit or a buff alien doing pull-ups - that’s the kind of bizarre content we’re talking about.

Tech commentators have been ruthless in their critique, dubbing the content “AI slop” - a term that’s quickly becoming shorthand for meaningless generative AI outputs. Gergely Orosz, a popular tech writer, summed up the collective sentiment by describing a bleak future where people (and potentially children) are endlessly scrolling through algorithmically generated content “infused with ads”.

The launch comes on the heels of Meta’s recent AI research hiring spree, which saw the company recruiting top-tier artificial intelligence researchers with substantial pay packages. However, this new product seems to be missing the mark, failing to deliver the transformative technology that AI enthusiasts have been promising.

Interestingly, Meta is collaborating with AI labs like Midjourney and Black Forest Labs while developing its own models. This comes with some complexity, as Midjourney currently faces a significant lawsuit from Hollywood studios over AI-generated image copyright issues.

Zuckerberg and Wang are positioning this as an “early version,” but the current reception suggests they might need to go back to the drawing board. The tech community’s response ranges from mockery to genuine concern about the direction of AI-generated content.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, one thing seems clear: not all technological advances are welcome, and sometimes, less might actually be more.